How Did Kamala Harris Do in the Democratic Debate?

It’s a long race and we shouldn’t make grand pronouncements about candidates based on glib comments from any candidate. There should be a series of long interviews with each candidate on the economy, education, health care, foreign policy, etc., so that the American people can judge their positions, how well they articulate them and how well they respond to criticism. When you think about it, we’re judging these candidates for the most powerful position in the world on very little and distorted information. We all need to do our homework.

Gabbard's questions about Harris only scratched the surface of the harms done in Kamala's tenure as a DA and AG in California. It's amazing that the media, or the other candidates, have done so little to tell. The truth makes her accusations of Biden appear in a truly bizarre light-- Is hers really record for a democrat--or progressive? No, not hardly. Fighting against body cameras on police and against independent investigations of police shootings. No cases desired against pedophile priests. No fraud charges against "foreclosure king" and Trump crony Mnuchin for frauds after the 2008 crash. (Her office recommended charges, but Harris said no.) So who did she crack down on? Immigrant youths with no charges handed to ICE. Minority mothers arrested for a child's being truant. Sikh men forced to cut their beards to placate xenophobes. And there's more for people to check out-- here's a start: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/17/opinion/kamala-harris-criminal-justice.html

Ms. Harris is off of my list as a contender. Her conduct was despicable and shameful.

Gabbard’s attack was factually specific: Harris withheld exculpatory evidence against death row criminal defendants? Laughed at obtaining overly long sentences for those convicted of marijuana possession? Routinely sought overly high bail? Routinely reprimanded and overturned by the courts based on the above? She had no response to any of it. How is that possible? Is it all true? Biden owes Gabbard a big debt of gratitude. I wouldn’t be surprised now if he picks her for his running mate if he gets the nomination.

She is definitely the liberal medias darling and so she has gotten much favorable coverage. Now upon closer examination her flaws are being exposed. Bummer. Not such a glorious record in California law enforcement , a completely incoherent policy on Medicare for all, and sliming Obama' record on immigration. Sounding more and like a world class opportunist. Something that I would bet many people in California learned early on.

There’s no way I could support Biden. He is been backed up by medical providers and probably the drug companies to. That’s the only way Obama got Obamacare passed. Healthcare is important and we need someone who’s going to be tough on PRICE LIMITS. Unless the candidate mentions that’s part of their healthcare plan, they are not going to change a darn thing to benefit citizens. Since Obamacare, medical prices have risen dramatically, drug prices over eight times. The system is not fair. If you earn 16,000 or less, you get free healthcare, but if you go over the minimum amount you’re stuck with high co-pays and premiums.

Somehow it accidentally submitted my comments without me finishing. Regarding Kamala Harris, I was definitely less impressed this debate. She got called on some important issues, and was not able to properly defend herself or position. I don’t believe she’s going to be a leading runner. Instead of locking up people for possession of marijuana, she could’ve been more hardball on white-collar crimes. Do you know they will rarely put a con-artist, someone guilty of fraud, ID theft in prison because “prisons are too full“? WHY are the prisons so full? We need to Focus more on education and opportunities to limit criminal behavior due to lack of other options. I didn’t know about the integration issues in San Francisco and Los Angeles. That’s really disappointing. The more cultures segregate the more racism continues. I believe the solution to racism is better integration – not just government mandated, it also cultures socially mixing. That’s a big problem in this country. Not sure how to fix it, but we can start by recognizing it.

I think she's smart and tough but something is missing for me. She doesn't inspire me at all. If she rises to the top of course I'll vote for her, that's true no matter who it is.

How do I view Kamala's record as a prosecutor? Wow! Jailed 1500 people for smoking marijuana? She contributed to the overcrowding of prisons and contributed to making America the country with the most people in jail. Nothing to be proud .

Whoever wins the nomination will have to be a chameleon in order to win the midwestern voters that will decide this election. As much as I love Elizabeth Warren, I think Kamala Harris is—by far— the best candidate who can get the highest national turnout and still win over the blue collar voters where it will be essential. Her record as a prosecutor gives her the crucial edge.

She is less qualified the Biden esp in foreign diplomacy. I don't have as much of a problem as others do with her time as a prosecutor. I think she would make an excellent senator.

Full disclosure: if the democratic nominee is a turnip, I’ll vote for it over #45. I voted for her for Sf DA and for California AG and for her as US senator. The road she has taken to get to where she is never involved reaching out to people like me. She doesn’t project the ability to have empathy for her constituents. Not my first, second, third or fourth choice .

There is something specious about the prosecutorial stance that Kamala assumes when she is “on the attack”. There’s no heart there, and not a sure command of her facts, either. Tulsi Gabbard, Amy Kobluchar and Liz Warren argue from a strong internal sense of self, not an assumed posture of strength.

Kamala Harris did herself and the Democratic Party a big disservice by turning the debate into a circular firing squad. In her desperation to be noticed she attacked Joe Biden´s record forgetting that she also has a record, and as Tulsi Gabbard mentioned, one that is not so good. In her mind she may feel victorious, and maybe she did in the eyes of some, just like Trump felt victorious after insulting every other Republican candidate.

Did not watch debates. However, on MSNBC this morning. ...very, very nebulous. She out of running. Just too many candidates. Dems, please get this right.

I’m not sure that “landing a blow “ is what I am looking for, right now. Exciting as it may be.

Kamala Harris is calm under fire, thoughtful in her decisions, moderate and realistic in her views and policies. Underlying comments of 'she is mean' is directed at her because she is female otherwise stated it would be 'she is strong.' I hope our country is ready for a brilliant woman of color because she is the one who will put our country back on track as 'Leader of the Free World.'

Harris projects a meanness and and cruelty that appears to be a fundamental part of her personality. Very hard face. I would be surprised if she were to make the final cut.

She has always rubbed me the wrong way. Until last night. Her closing remarks gave me chills when she stated that Trump is a predator, and she knows how to deal with predators. She is right on both counts, and has the record to prove it. I have been thinking all along that we (Democrats) have been the ones choosing Biden to face off against Trump, but it is actually Trump who is choosing Biden. He knows his weaknesses, and he will eat him alive. That's what predators do. Unfortunately this is also true for Warren and Sanders. His smug disregard for them tells me that he already has their cards. However, Trump will not know how to deal with Harris. She will be his worst nightmare because she is fierce, intelligent, female and a minority. A former Prosecutor with little interest in coming across as likable, and zero conflicts of interest. I actually now think she has the best chance of beating him.

I may or may not vote for her in the Louisiana primary but I do like her toughness and pragmatism. Whoever stands across a debate stage from Trump had better be tough and pragmatic. Racist, sexist, narcissistic con man and sex offender vs. tough black female former prosecutor with no significant baggage (so far) has potential. Would progressive ideologically driven voters not show up to vote against Trump? Would moderate independents be offended by her prosecutions of marijuana offenses? I'm in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana use and I'd have no problem voting for her against him. Of course, I'll certainly vote for anyone the Democrats nominate.

Kamala Harris presents as calculating, arrogant, sanctimonious, and argumentative....all of the characteristics of a prosecutor, NOT a president.

I saw this item about unusual changes in California growers in the article: "• Farmers in the Central Valley, faced with tough decisions about water use, are turning to solar panels to maximize profits. [The Los Angeles Times]" As far as I've heard, these spooky transformations haven't been happening around here, although they would explain the sudden appearance of solar panels alongside the Mass Turnpike.

Ms. Harris has always come across as ambitious and opportunistic. Her motivation is more about self promotion than public service. Last night did nothing to change that image. That said; she twice had the opportunity to respond to Ms. Gabbard and she deflected. On the debate stage she went off on a rant about how she reformed California's criminal justice system, which is news to many of us. Later when asked during a one on one interview she said Ms. Gabbard is a "second tier candidate" and only polling at 1% she didn't merit a response. At no time did she address the issue at hand. This is not a candidate I can get behind.

The format of this debate did not present an opportunity for a detailed response to the criticisms presented by Gabbard, and a detailed and nuanced response is what is needed for the complicated situation Harris was in as an AG trying to push reforms from inside a system she was bound by duty to uphold. She has already responded multiple times to the accusation that she did not want prisoners released in order to keep them for cheap labor. Her answer, which was first given back in 2014 shortly after it broke in the news, is that she was unaware of the reasoning provided in the filing by attorneys working for her office until she found out about it through the news, and when she did she was shocked by it. Whether you are satisfied by that, think it is a cop out, or think it is irresponsible policy to not be reviewing all decisions made by attorneys from her office - I see no reason not to take her at her word that she was unaware of it. That could legitimately raise a number of other questions, but of course there was no time for any of that last night. When the discourse is whittled down to twitter-length soundbites, it should be expected that nobody is going to get a fair shake. It would be to the benefit of anyone reading this article to do more background research on Harris's tenure as AG - which is very readily available after last night's debate.

Harris is my Senator and I was embarrassed and disappointed in her performance. I was at my Democratic Club party debate (huge crowd) and we all booed when she kept going after Biden for no new reason.

Harris is the last person I'd vote for on the Dem ticket. She comes across phony and not trustworthy. Knowing her past and what she has done to get where she's at today also is a big black eye in my opinion.

I wish the article would go into Tulsi's criticism to Harris. The one about cheap labor sounds fake but I would love to know the facts.

Avoid the Progressive democrats. Elect a Conservative Capitalist Democrat. Elizabeth?

Harris mentioned last night that she took on big banks after the mortgage crisis, but she failed to mention she did NOT indict Mnuchin who was head of CIT bank at the time although there was clear evidence he was guilty of predatory crimes. She has never offered an explanation for this and I need to hear one before she gets my support.

Shame on all of them. Except Biden. He managed to ride it out. Meanwhile, we do not have a President. We have Donald Trump. Last night's debate bunch handed Trump a quiver full of arrows. All that venom to try to gain 2% and lose 100% of their dignity.

Kamala Harris is for all intents and purposes - an empty suit. The worst kind of politician. A cynical opportunist with little in the way of original policy proposals who shifts with each passing trend, poll or fad. People will eventually see this. Tulsi Gabbard exposed one of the many glaring problems with Kamala. Rest assured there are many other inconsistencies and weaknesses in this candidates record that will come to light. The sooner the better.

I wondered why I was reacting negatively to Harris, exactly the kind of smart, confident woman leader we progressives espouse. Was it because her intent to show strength and power against Trump made her seem a little cold, dispassionate? Was it because I feel I know Biden's head, heart and life experiences and can't bear for anyone to pick on him? Yes, probably that.

She came across as opportunistic and disingenuous. She can call a mule a horse, but that doesn't make a mule a horse. #Medicare4All

I lost all respect for Sen. Harris last night. And that was hard to take, because I voted for her and have sent her financial support. Where previously I had admired Sen. Harris' fierceness and intelligence, her willingness to call out dishonest nominees from her Senate perch, this time I saw she is nothing but an intellectually dishonest opportunist, with a streak of cruelty. Her attack on Biden in the first debate was a well calculated ambush. Perhaps he had it coming. But in fact her position is not that different from his. Her attack on him last night was an outrageous smear... suggesting that because he had worked across the aisle with segregationist senators to pass legislation he was somehow one of them, and even complicit with them in trying to deny people like Obama (and herself and Cory Booker) from running for office. And her shape-shifting on policy (raising her hand for "Medicare for All" only to pretend she didn't hear the question) is insulting. She believes in one thing, and one thing only: Kamala Harris. In this and in other ways, she reminds me all too much of the man she wants to replace: someone whose cruelty in taking down others gives the lie to the words that flow from her lips.

"The exchange also stirred many questions about Mr. Biden’s legislative history on issues concerning racial equality." Harris will never become President by picking away at 30-40 year old history because SHE CAN"T UNDERSTAND COMPROMISES that were made just to advance some legislation. She could never prosper in todays legislative environment. She rarely proposes her own Real Agenda but rather is a "picker" -- going after others and THEN calling herself a "top tier candidate" for fighting. She needs to go home and tend her garden where ONLY SHE can make the rules...and let real politicians work what they can make happen.